Safe Winter Driving Tips in Snow and Ice

With the colder weather heading our way going into November and December, we can expect to see snow and ice soon on the mountain highway passes like Stevens Pass on Highway 2, and Snoqualmie Pass on I-90. In addition to having the proper type of tires on our cars and trucks, we need to follow these 9 winter driving tips to avoid losing control of our vehicles and getting in car accidents and truck accidents resulting in injuries to the driver and passengers.

Drive with your headlights on.

Drive for conditions. Don't get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It won't help you stop any faster.

Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances. Drivers should allow additional room between their vehicles and others.

Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady spots. These all have potential to develop black ice that makes driving hazardous.

Avoid abrupt actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle.

Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra time to react.

Trucks take longer to stop. Don't cut in front of them.

Avoid using cruise control or overdrive. Don't let your car make a bad decision for you.

Stopping on snow and ice without skidding requires extra time and distance. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.

The bottom line is to take it slow - slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking during the winter months when there is snow and ice.

If you are involved in an auto accident, truck accident, collide with a semi-truck on snow and ice, and suffer injuries as a result of the crash, be sure to give us a call to answer any questions you may have about your legal rights. You can call the Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC at our Bellevue office at (425) 289-1990 or Tacoma office at (253) 682-2000 or anywhere in Washington state toll free at 1-800-636-3676.